CREW
“He was like, ‘You’re going to love it here,’” Zardes said Jimenez told him.
The Crew needed a striker. Zardes needed another opportunity at the position. A strong match has facilitated Zardes’ most productive and durable season (19 goals, 2,948 minutes) in his professional soccer career and, on Wednesday, netted him an award.
Major League Soccer announced Zardes as its Comeback Player of the Year, as voted by MLS media, players, coaches and technical directors.
Late into the night on Jan. 19, a deal was struck, sending forward Ola Kamara — who had requested a trade — to the Los Angeles Galaxy for Zardes and what became $500,000 in targeted allocation money.
From the day Zardes arrived in preseason camp, coach Gregg Berhalter said he Crew SC forward Gyasi Zardes fights for control of the ball against Minnesota United in the regular-season finale in which Zardes scored three goals and the Crew clinched a playoff spot. believed Zardes could hold down the Crew’s starting striker job and score goals.
That trust was well-placed.
The 27-year-old from Hawthorne, California, beat his previous career high of 16 goals by three a season after scoring just two with the Galaxy in 2017.
“What we did is we looked at his profile and made, I guess, an assessment of where we thought he could
end up,” Berhalter said of Zardes. “Again, you never really know how it’s going to turn up, but we said, ‘OK, here are the attributes this player has, here’s what we need at this position and we think it’s a good match, so let’s go for it.’ ”
A change of scenery can be beneficial for professional athletes, but it’s not simply a new location that breeds success. Effort and an open mind are necessary for a positive transition. Zardes supplied both.
“I’m not surprised. I adapt to any environment and these guys welcomed me with open arms,” Zardes said. “I’m working extremely hard each and every single day. I don’t take anything for granted. Before training I’m out there getting reps in, and I’m going to constantly do that because it’s helped me thus far.”
What surprised Berhalter was Zardes’ work ethic. Even in stretches of limited offense, Zardes’ work rate at the top of the Crew’s 4-4-2 press held steady. His defensive
effort played a role in a Crew defense that allowed 45 goals, tied for sixth-fewest in MLS.
“I didn’t realize his willingness to learn,” Berhalter said. “That’s what’s really propelled him. He has been just a consummate team player.”
This season has been a far cry from Zardes’ last two with the Galaxy, in which he broke his foot to end his 2016 season and suffered a knee injury in early 2017 that set the table for a subpar season. By the end of 2017, he was playing right back.
Back at striker in 2018, he has been equal parts productive and healthy, but he feels there is more to achieve with the Crew.
“I want an MLS Cup so bad. I want to win that for this city and this team,” he said in August. “They took a chance on me, and there is no better way (to show appreciation) than to work extremely hard to win an MLS Cup.”